Dodgers’ New Network To Launch Feb. 25, But Only To Time Warner Subscribers

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) –– Former Major Leaguers Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra and Jerry Hairston Jr. will serve as analysts in SportsNet LA’s signature live daily show on the Los Angeles Dodgers, airing nightly during spring training and both pregame and postgame during the regular season.

The network’s program was announced Friday. During the regular season, “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” will air for 30 minutes before each live regular season game on SportsNet LA, and also following the game. SportsNet LA is scheduled to launch on Feb. 25.

Programming will also include a new behind-the-scenes show called, “Backstage: Dodgers”.

According to Dodgers Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Lon Rosen, no other TV providers, such as DirecTV and AT&T’s U-Verse, have agreed to distribute the channel.

This said; however, negotiations are fluid, with hope to have some agreements from providers by the launch date.

Rumor has it Time Warner will ask for other providers to pay up to $5 per month per subscriber in order to watch the Blue Crew.

The Lakers’ network, TWC SportsNet, and Deportes went through the same thing at the time of their launch.

DirecTV, one of the largest TV providers in the LA market, made a deal with Time Warner a few weeks into the Lakers’ season in 2012.

On Feb. 13, Comcast Corporation agreed to purchase Time Warner Cable Inc. for $45.2 billion in stock, or $158.82 per share.